ivory satin gown, trimmed in lace and pearls with a court train
Photographed anew for Martin Digital History, the Kitching wedding gown is a thread in the tapestry of one family’s celebrations. First worn in 1914 by Sarah Josephine Kitching for her wedding to John E. Taylor, the ivory satin gown, trimmed in lace and pearls with a court train, has since been worn by six women across four generations.
Each wearer added her own chapter to the dress’s story:
- Sarah Josephine Kitching – March 10, 1914
- Emma Elizabeth Taylor – March 10, 1939
- Josephine Marie Ashley – November 22, 1962
- Marjorie Elizabeth Ashley – January 30, 1972
- Judith Winifred Ashley – June 30, 1972
- Joy Paradise – December 15, 1990
The dress was recently staged and photographed to celebrate its enduring legacy almost 20 years after the last time it was shown at the Elliott Museum. It stands as a symbol of continuity, love, and the deep roots of Martin County’s families, woven into the very fabric of our local history.
